Copenhagen Airport's Gulf and Asian growth: 615-seat Emirates A380, soon Cathay?

Although North America is Copenhagen Airport's single largest long haul market, eastwards traffic to the Middle East and Asia is collectively larger. And much Gulf carrier traffic is connecting onwards to Southeast Asia. Copenhagen will be the first destination for Emirates' 615 seat, two class A380. On the same week in Dec-2015 that Emirates begins service with the world's most densely configured A380, Qatar Airways will bring its Doha-Copenhagen service to double daily. Etihad does not serve Scandinavia, but is probably laying the groundwork via a partnership with SAS.

Copenhagen's next developments could be from Cathay Pacific, which has flagged possible service. Copenhagen discussed growth developments at CAPA's LCC Airports Congress in Bangkok, and World Routes in Durban. Asian growth may not necessarily come at the expense of incumbents. Copenhagen expects Singapore Airlines to increase flights from five times weekly to daily. Pressure may be mounting on Thai Airways, but Copenhagen is reportedly its best performing European point. Meanwhile North America capacity is growing as SAS and Norwegian add services.